Peer Mentor

Wayside Youth; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Training reimbursement

PTO with wellness days

9 paid holidays

Up to 3 weeks vacation (first year)

Medical benefits

Career development

Job summary

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is seeking Peer Support Specialists with lived experience to facilitate activity-based and support groups for young adults facing mental health challenges. You will draw on your own journey to offer hope, information, advocacy, and one-on-one support to those learning to manage their mental health.

Expect to promote skill-building in social functioning, symptom management, coping strategies, and daily living activities, while contributing to policy advocacy

Qualifications

• Lived experience with mental health, emotional health or trauma resulting in significant life disruption.
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal).
• Ability to assess and manage risk.
• Flexible and creative thinking with adaptability.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate activity-based and support groups for young adults with mental health concerns.
• Share your story to provide hope, information, advocacy and one-on-one support.
• Promote skill-building in social functioning, symptom management, coping skills, and daily living activities.
• Contribute to system change through policy advocacy.

Skills

Talent connecting with people

Strong communication

Risk assessment

Flexible thinking

Lived experience

Recovery storytelling

Job description

Wayside is one of Massachusetts' most respected youth and family-serving agencies, supporting more than 6,000 youth and families annually across Central, Eastern, and Northeastern regions.

We invest in our employees' wellness with comprehensive benefits, including tuition and training reimbursement, a PTO package with 3 wellness days, 9 paid holidays, and up to 3 weeks of vacation in the first year. Enjoy a learning environment with free training, CEUs, and more, along with exceptional medical benefits, financial health supports, and career development opportunities.

Wayside Youth & Family Support Network is hiring for creative and empat hi c Peer Support Specialists with personal "lived" experience in the behavioral health system. We provide a supportive culture that is team-focused and places value on healthy work dynamics.

Salary Range: $20.50 - $24.00/hour depending on experience and certification + sign - on bonus (half paid after 6 months of employment and half paid after 1 year of employment/pro-rated for part-time).

What you will do:

• Facilitate activity based and support groups for young adults with mental health concerns.
• Use your story and experience to provide hope, information, advocacy and one on one support to young adults learning to manage their mental health challenges.
• Promote skill building in the life domains of: social functioning, symptom management, coping skills and activities of daily living.
• Contribute to system change through policy advocacy.

Competencies/Traits of Our Superstars:

• Talent connecting with people.
• Strong communication skills – both written and verbal.
• Ability to assess and manage risk.
• Flexibility and creative thinking with an ability to adapt.
• Lived experience managing your own mental health, emotional health and/or trauma resulting in significant life disruption.
• Wiliness to share your recovery story in the context of peer support.
• Driving in the community is a requirement of this position; please ensure you have a valid driver's license and access to a reliable vehicle.

We will train you in : Motivational Interviewing; Courageous Conversations; Attachment, Regulation and Competency Model (ARC); Trauma Informed Practice; Substance Use Intervention; Risk and Safety Assessment.